P.F. 15A peach tree

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree having the following unique combination of desirable features: 
     1. Producing a very firm fruit having a resilient flesh texture. 
     2. Blossoms are non-showy when in full bloom. 
     3. A substantially spheriodal fruit with yellow flesh having red mottling. 
     4. Early maturing fruit of good taste. 
     5. A mid-season peach variety which matures after Redhaven and which has good storage and shelf life. 
     6. A stone having an arcuate base.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new peach tree (hereinafter refrred to as the `P.F. 15A` Peach Tree)was originated by Paul Friday in the experimental orchard, which ismaintained for the purpose of breeding peach trees, at Paul Friday FarmsInc., located in Coloma, Mich. Coloma is located in the southwestportion of Michigan. In an ongoing mass selection breeding program,superior seedlings of unrecorded parentage are maintained as seedsources for the production of seeds which are collected and planted inmass. The seed producing parent trees are maintained solely asproprietary trees for breeding purposes and have not been released fromthe experimentl orchard, where such trees can be evaluated for theiradaptability to local and regional growing conditions. Seeds resultingfrom open pollination of the trees in the experimental orchard areregularly planted in mass to produce new populations of seedlings whichare cultured and monitored to maturity. Trees with superior attributesare retained for further observation and testing, and contribute seedsto advancing generations of new populations of seedlings.

The tree of this application, `P.F. 15A`, was a selection from one sucha seedling population, and was based on the numerous superior geneticattributes of this tree which are described in the botanicaldescriptions to follow.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree was asexually propagated bybudding as performed in the experimental orchard of Paul Friday FarmsInc. located in Coloma, Mich. The asexual propagation demonstrates thatsuch reproduction of the charcteristics of the tree are consistent andare established and transmitted through succeeding propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree is of moderate upright growthand a regular and productive bearer of peaches. The blossoms arecharacterized by being contracted or partially spread when in fullbloom.

The blossoms of the present peach tree at full bloom may becharacterized as being non-showy; i.e., angularly spaced five blossompetals projecting upwardly at an inclined angle so as to form a blossom,having a diameter of about 3/4" measured across the blossoms. Thetypical non-showy blossom as exemplified for example by the Redhavenpeach has five (5) radially extending and angularly spaced petalsprojecting upwardly at a relatively steep inclined angle so that thediametrical measurement across the outer edges of the petals is about1/2".

The flesh of the fruit of the present peach tree is firm and is yellowwith some red mottling in the flesh.

The skin is smooth and is of dark red color over about eighty (80%)percent of its surface at maturity. The red color occurs over aboutsixty (60%) of the surface about 10 days prior to maturity. At maturitythe peach is substantially spheroidal but with a pronounced suture withthe diameter ranging between about 21/2" to 3 inches.

It is noteworthy that the fruit of this tree is further characterized ashaving smooth, gently rounded cheeks at the blossom end of the fruit.These protrude to form fruit surfaces higher than the blossom point.This characteristic reduces fruit damage in harvest, shipping andstorage, by reducing the exposure of and damage to the apical blossomprotrusion in handling. Thus breaching of the skin and formation of anentry point for microorganisms which cause rot in many othercommercially important peach varieties harvested in the same productionperiod is avoided in this fruit.

The fruit has a firm flesh and may be described as resilient to theextent that the flesh is yieldable and restorable to its original statewhen subjected to impact forces which may cause permanent deformities inpeached of the commercial varieties. The firmness of the fruitfacilitates handling and packaging of the peaches without damaging thesame for shipment. This results in less spoilage and also increases theshelf life.

The fruit matures in the middle part of the peach growing seasons ofSouthwestern Michigan. The fruit as mentioned heretofore is of red colorover about eighty (80%) percent of its spheroidal surface and has a veryattractive appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs of the new variety show:

In the top photograph, typical fruit of the treee attached to a stemwith leaves remaining, a detached fruit showing the color and characterof the stem end of the fruit, and a detached fruit split along thesuture plane to show the color and character of the fruit flesh, the pitcavity, and a detached pit;

A middle photograph shows the terminal portion of a typical stem of thevariety in blooming season, with flowers shown in varying stages ofopening and their pink color. This photograph also shows the growth ofnew foliage during the flowering period and bark of the previous growingseason is also shown to be of brown color and lacking conspicuouslenticels; and,

The bottom photograph shows the interior of the canopy of the tree to beof light to moderate density, and also shows the color of mature barkand the strong angles of scaffold branches. This photograph also showsthe uniform placement of fruit about the specimen depicted, which hasbeen pruned to have an open center.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIETY

The detailed botanical description of the foliage and fruit of the newvariety of peach tree is based upon observations of the specimens grownat Coloma, Mich. with the color terminology, other than the terminologyexpressed in common terms, in accordance with the Panatone MatchingSystem (PMS) as used internationally to identify printed colors.

Tree:

Height.--Unpruned 17'.

Width.--Unpruned 12'.

Size.--Medium-large.

Vigor.--Medium vigor terminal growth of 1' to 4' per year.

Density.--Medium, pruning requirements heavy.

Form.--Upright. Branches extend at crotch angles of about 90 degrees.

Production.--Productive, approximately 1/2 of the fruit annually must beremoved.

Bearer.--Consistent.

Disease resistance to bacterial leaf and fruit spot.--Very good.

Trunk:

Bark.--Grayish brown (4635u).

Size.--Medium.

Surface.--Medium shaggy.

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Surface.--Medium.

Lenticels.--Medium number and length 2/16" to 5/16".

Color.--Brown (470c).

Leaves:

Size.--Large. Average length -- 61/2" to 7". Average width -- 13/4".

Form.--Lanceolate -- pointed.

Thickness. --Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Margin.--Serrate.

Petiole.--Medium length -- medium thickness.

Gland.--Varies from 1 to 5, usually 2 -- one on either side of base ofleaf or upper portion of petiole.

Gland color.--Yellow.

Color.--Upper surface: green (350c). Surface: dull green (349c).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Flowers:

Blooming period.--Mid-season, May 5, 1993 to May 7, 1993.

Size.--Medium or partially showy petal pattern (about 3/4" diameter).

Pollen.--Present, self-fertilizing.

Color.--At bloom, half open -- pink (190u); before petal fall, reddishpink (707c).

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--Aug. 17, 1993 (About 9 days after pickingRedhaven -- Aug. 8, 1993. Fruit matures very evenly and can be picked in1 or 2 pickings.)

Date of last picking.--Also Aug. 17, 1993.

Size.--Large sphere. Average diameter -- 2-5/8".

Form.--Oblate spherical.

Suture.--Somewhat pronounced.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Tough, tenacious to skin.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Down.--Moderate to little

Color.--Yellow ground color (134c). Nearly overspread (80%) with red(174c) to (173c).

Flesh:

Texture.--Firm, similar to a cling peach relatively free of fiber,non-melting.

Ripens.--On suture first.

Flavor.--Good.

Aroma.--Pleasant.

Eating quality.--Good.

Color.--Yellow (106u). Pit cavity red (198a) with some red mottledthrough the flesh (190u).

Stone:

Type.--Freestone.

Size.--Average length -- 11/2". Average width -- 1". Average thickness-- 5/8".

Form.--Arcuate.

Base.--Straight.

Apex.--Arcuate.

Sides.--Nearly equal.

Surface.--Irregularly furrowed.

Color.--Reddish brown (201u).

Tendency to crack.--None.

Use: Desert:

Shipping quality: Good.

Keeping quality: Excellent.

The tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slight detail as aresult of differences in climatic or soil conditions or culturalpractices under which the tree may be grown. It is to be understood thatthe description of the new variety as set forth herein is that of thetree grown under the ecological conditions prevailing at Coloma, Mich.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach treesubstantially as illustrated and described as large size, vigorous andupright in growth and a regular and productive bearer of medium largesize, yellow flesh with some red mottling, freestone fruit with goodflavor and eating quality; and being further characterized by apartially showy blossom about 3/4" diameter when in full bloom, saidfruit at maturity being of substantially spheroidal shape with firmflesh and a red skin color covering 80% of the fruit and having amoderately pronounced suture, said maturity occurring about 9 days aftermaturity of the Redhaven peach.